Thunder not missing Harden as much as you may think

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The Thunder are scoring more points and shooting better percentages this season without James Harden, but not having his beard around the locker room will take time to get used to. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Guard James Harden was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year when he helped the Oklahoma City Thunder reach the NBA Finals last year.

Four months after signing with the Rockets, he’s a first-time All-Star.

So the Thunder, who are trying to repeat as Western Conference champions and perhaps earn another crack at LeBron James and the Miami Heat, have to miss a player of Harden’s caliber, right?

Surprisingly, not so much.

“It’s different, but I think we’re in a good position as a team right now, probably the same position we were last year at this point,” point guard Russell Westbrook said Friday.

Westbrook isn’t just following the company line or trying not to slight Kevin Martin — who the Rockets sent to the Thunder in the deal for Harden — when he evaluates the roster. The numbers back him up.

Through 53 games without Harden, the Thunder are 39-14. They were 40-13 at the same point last season.

Last year’s Thunder averaged 103.1 points per game and shot 47.1 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range.

So, their points and percentages are up, and they’re only one game off last season’s more bearded pace.

“We’re different, but I think we’re just as good,” small forward Kevin Durant said. “James, don’t get me wrong, he’s a phenomenal player, but we lost him and we got Kevin Martin back, who’s a really good player as well.

“And I think for the passing ability that we lost with James, and his defense, we make up for it with Russell and myself, and the guys on the bench that help.”

Martin picks up slack
Martin is doing his part as the Thunder’s new sixth man.

“They’re different players … (and) you just try to find a way you can fit Kevin Martin in,” Westbrook said.

That has called, in part, for Westbrook and Durant — who have seven All-Star selections between them — to pick up their games.

Westbrook has upped his rebounding. Durant is scoring more.

They’re both playing more minutes, if only slightly, and they’re both dishing out far more assists.

Durant had 188 assists through 53 games last season. He has 231 this year.

“I didn’t think, with the player (who was) leaving, I’d have to take a bigger role on, but I accepted it,” Durant said. “Coach (Scott Brooks) wants me to handle the ball more, he wants me to rebound more, be more of a leader, and I think I’m doing those things right now, and hopefully I continue.”

Still friends
Perhaps, then, where the Thunder miss Harden is on a personal level.

Westbrook said they remain good friends, and they’re from the same area so they’ll continue to hang out in the summer. Durant also said they’ll remain tight after learning together as professionals.

“We miss him,” Durant said. “Of course we all grew up together, and I’m happy he’s playing well in Houston, but we’ve got to move past it.

“It’s been almost three or four months now, so it’s time to move on.”

And as they continue to do so, they wish the best for Harden in his pursuit of the same — while hoping to see him in more All-Star Games.

“He’s a great player,” Westbrook said. “He can compete with the best of them. He made the best decision for him and he’s doing great for Houston and their organization.”